Two suspects in custody for false whistle-blowing

The Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property has arrested one Muhammed Sanusi and Ovie Jeff for false whistle-blowing.

The suspects were said to have informed the panel about a stash of money hidden in a property in Gwarimpa Estate, Abuja, by an unidentified businessman.

The SPIPRPP Public Relations Officer, Lucie-Aan Laha, said in a statement in Abuja on Friday that after receiving the information, the agency obtained a search warrant and raided the property, but no money was recovered.

She said, “The suspects came to us with information about money stored in large bags, both local and foreign denominations, at an apartment in Gwarimpa.

“We needed clearance to search the house, and when we got there, our investigators ransacked the entire house and we found nothing.

“A number of Nigerians are trying to take undue advantage of the whistle-blower policy because of the monetary strings attached to reporting public loots,” she stated.

Ovie, who said he came to Abuja from Bayelsa State because of the money, said he was told the money was looted, adding that he simply wanted a share of it.

He said he met Sanusi through one Alli currently at large, claiming to have spiritual powers to detect where money is kept.

Sanusi corroborated his accomplice’s account but accused him of masterminding the false alarm which led to their arrest on Thursday.

The agency explained that the case is currently under investigation, stating that the suspects would appear before a Wuse magistrates’ court on Tuesday.

The PRO said the panel had recovered numerous looted public funds since its establishment a year ago.